Medical mobility system

Abstract

A system for transferring a patient in a medical facility from one support surface to another support surface consists of a pliable web, the opposite ends of which are wound about a pair of cylindrical rollers. The cylindrical rollers are rotatably engaged between a drive motor and an idler bearing disposed on each longitudinal edge of one support so that the pliable web extends across substantially the entire surface thereof. A maneuverable table is similarly equipped on each longitudinal edge with a drive motor and idler bearing. The table is positioned alongside one edge of the one support and the cylindrical roller removed from between the drive motor and idler bearing at that edge of the one support and inserted between the drive motor and idler bearing on the remote edge of the table. As the drive motor on the remote edge of the table is actuated the cylindrical roller is rotated, thereby winding the web thereon and simultaneously transferring the patient from the one support to the table. The cylindrical roller on the remote edge of the one support can subsequently be removed therefrom and inserted between the drive motor and idler bearing on the near edge of the table. The table can then be maneuvered to any location in the medical facility as desired. Preferably, the drive motors are all of a hydraulic nature to permit the system to be safely operated in those areas of the medical facility where oxygen is in use.

We claim: 
     
       1. A patient transfer system comprising, first and second supports, each of said first and second supports having a support surface for receiving and supporting a patient,   means for positioning one edge of said first support adjacent one edge of said second support,   first and second cylindrical rollers,   means for rotatably mounting said first cylindrical roller along an edge of said first support remote from said second support,   means for rotatably mounting said second cylindrical roller along an edge of said second support remote from said first support,   a pliable web having a first end connected to said first cylindrical roller and a second end connected to said second cylindrical roller, said pliable web adapted to be wound between said first and second cylindrical rollers,   first drive means permanently connected to said first support and operative to rotate said first cylindrical roller for transferring said patient from said second support to said first support, and   second drive means permanently connected to said second support and operative to rotate said second cylindrical roller for transferring said patient from said first support to said second support.   
     
     
       2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second drive means comprise hydraulic drive means. 
     
     
       3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pliable web is formed from a perforated material which will permit the passage of a liquid therethrough. 
     
     
       4. A patient transfer system comprising, first and second supports, each of said first and second supports having a support surface for receiving and supporting a patient,   means for positioning one edge of said first support adjacent one edge of said second support,   first and second cylindrical rollers,   means for rotatably mounting said first cylindrical roller along an edge of said first support remote from said second support,   means for rotatably mounting said second cylindrical roller along an edge of said second support remote from said first support,   a pliable web having a first end connected to said first cylindrical roller and a second end connected to said second cylindrical roller, said pliable web adapted to be wound between said first and second cylindrical rollers,   drive means for rotating one of said first and second cylindrical rollers to transfer said patient from one of said first and second supports to another of said first and second supports, and   an intermediate panel operatively connected to one of said first and second supports and disposed for engagement in assembled position with another of said first and second supports, wherein said intermediate panel lies below said pliable web when in said assembled position.   
     
     
       5. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said intermediate panel is slidably disposed between a storage position beneath said one of said first and second supports and said assembled position. 
     
     
       6. A patient transfer system comprising, first and second supports, each of said first and second supports having a support surface for receiving and supporting a patient,   means for positioning one edge of said first support adjacent one edge of said second support,   a first cylindrical roller rotatably mounted along said one edge of said first support and a second cylindrical roller rotatably mounted to said first support along an edge opposite said one edge,   a pliable web having a first end connected to said first cylindrical roller and a second end connected to said second cylindrical roller, said pliable web adapted to be wound between said first and second cylindrical rollers,   release means for releasing said first cylindrical roller from said one edge of said first support,   means for rotatably mounting said first cylindrical roller to an edge of said second support remote from said first support, and   first drive means for driving said first cylindrical roller to transfer said patient from said first support to said second support.   
     
     
       7. A system as claimed in claim 6 further comprising release means for releasing said second cylindrical roller from said first support and means for rotatably mounting said second cylindrical roller to said one edge of said second support. 
     
     
       8. A system as claimed in claim 6 further comprising, second drive means for driving said second cylindrical roller to transfer said patient from said second support to said first support.   
     
     
       9. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first and second drive means comprise hydraulic drive means. 
     
     
       10. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said pliable web is formed from a perforated material which will permit the passage of liquid therethrough. 
     
     
       11. A method for transferring a patient between first and second supports, said first support having first and second cylindrical rollers rotatably mounted along opposite edges thereof, at least said first cylindrical roller being releasably mounted thereon, and a pliable web connected between said first and second cylindrical rollers and disposed beneath said patient, said method comprising the steps of: positioning one edge of said second support adjacent one edge of said first support,   releasing said first cylindrical roller from said first support,   rotatably mounting said first cylindrical roller along an edge of said second support remote from said first support, whereby said pliable web extends across said second support, and   driving said first cylindrical roller to wind said pliable web thereon, whereby said patient is transferred from said first support to said second support.   
     
     
       12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the steps of: releasing said second cylindrical roller from said first support, and   mounting said second cylindrical roller to said one edge of said second support.   
     
     
       13. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the steps of: releasing said second cylindrical roller from said second support,   rotatably mounting said second cylindrical roller to an edge of said first support remote from said second support, whereby said pliable web extends across said first support, and   driving said second cylindrical roller to wind said pliable web thereon, whereby said patient is transferred from said second support to said first support.   
     
     
       14. The method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising the steps of: releasing said first cylindrical roller from said second support, and   mounting said first cylindrical roller to said one edge of said first support.   
     
     
       15. A patient transfer table comprising, a support surface for receiving and supporting a patient,   first and second cylindrical rollers,   means for rotatably mounting said first and second cylindrical rollers along opposite edges of said support surface,   a pliable web having a first end connected to said first cylindrical roller and a second end connected to said second cylindrical roller, said pliable web overlying said support surface and adapted to be wound between said first and second cylindrical rollers,   release means for releasing said first cylindrical roller from said support surface for connection to another support,   first drive means for rotating said second cylindrical roller to thereby transfer said patient, and   an intermediate panel operatively connected to said support surface and disposed for engagement in assembled position with said other support, wherein said intermediate panel lies below said pliable web when in said assembled position.   
     
     
       16. A table as claimed in claim 15 wherein said intermediate panel is slidably disposed between a storage position beneath said support surface and said assembled position.